EROTIC STORIES FOR PUNJABI WIDOWS

Listeners will laugh along with feminist Nikki's attempts to balance her modern and traditional South Asian identities in Southall, a West London Sikh community. Meera Syal is a wonderful choice as narrator because her British accent and mastery of an ironic tone make the most of the lively descriptions and Nikki's sardonic interior monologues. Syal's dexterity shines as she moves back and forth between characterizing older Sikh women, who recount their erotic stories, and heightening the escalating conflict arising from the clash of changing and conservative values. For those who are unfamiliar with Sikh culture or this part of London, this is an informative and entertaining listening experience. M.R. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2017]